An Open Letter to David and Samantha Cameron

Dear David and Samantha

Let me congratulate you on the prospect of a new addition to your family. You have my prayers for the safe delivery of your child.

Given that you are going to have another baby and you already have two young children, I would urge you to consider making your home strictly shoe-free.

It may be that you already avoid wearing shoes in your home most of the time and encourage visitors to remove their shoes. If so, forgive this communication, but I have seen photographs of you wearing shoes at home.

On this blog, you will find a variety of different reasons why having a no-shoes rule makes sense. Some of these simply relate to protecting floors and carpets, but others concern health. As children spend time playing on floors, it is vital that they are kept safe from harmful toxins and unhealthy elements. Shoes can potentially pick up animal faesces, lead, toxoplasmosis, roundworms and harmful bacteria. Exposure to such things presents risks for small children; risks that can easily be avoided.

Mr. Cameron, you have spoken before about 'wellbeing', that there are things that can contribute to a more healthy and psychologically better lifestyle. I believe that having a shoes-off policy can contribute to a sense of wellbeing not only in keeping out harmful toxins, but also making the home a more special, intimate place, where the day-to-day world is kept out.

Perhaps some of the senior Conservatives who visit you might not relish removing their shoes, but I am sure you make your family's wellbeing your first priority.

I write as a member of the Conservative party who is hopeful for an end to some of the anti-family values of the present Labour government. I wish you success in taking no.10 Downing Street.

I believe you are the man to provide new leadership for the British nation. I would love to see you showing that leadership by setting the example for British families by adopting a shoes-off policy in your home.

Yours sincerely

Dr. Matthew Clarke, PhD

The Sacramental Significance of a Cluster of Shoes

Another post on house churches.

In my view, it is better for churches to meet in homes, as the earliest Christians did. I believe that provides a much deeper level of intimacy and fellowship.

Naturally, a home which hosts church meetings would be wise to have a shoes-off rule, to protect the carpet or flooring from the tread of a large number of visitors. If so, I think the large collection of shoes by the door could have an almost sacramental significance reflecting the truth of the church's nature and purpose.

The church, body of Christ, is a people who experience unity in diversity. We are called out of all nations, ethnic groups and peoples. We come from all walks of life, rich and poor, working class and middle class. Males and females are equally valued (or should be) in the church. All ages have a part to play in the rich tapestry of the church of God, in displaying the light of His grace. Each member has his or her own distinct gift and contribution to the life of the church.

The cluster of shoes at the door would reflect that wonderful diversity. We would see the tiny shoes of a child, and the much larger shoes of her father. We would see the shiny brogues of a businessman and the sandals of a student. We would see the sporty trainers of a young man and the sensible velcro-strapped shoes of a more senior man. We might see ethnic diversity; the elegant heels of a French school teacher and the flip flops of a Filipino nurse. We might see the two pairs of shoes of a newly married couple set closely together by the door.

Shoes in all different shapes and sizes, relecting the diversity of the church. Yet all are removed and left by the door, for the owners have come together to worship and to share in the fellowship of the body of Christ.


Okay, I am a theologian who has done a PhD on the subject of the ecclesiology, so I am bound to write stuff like this.

Save Money In Your Home: Remove Your Shoes

Save Money In Your Home: Remove Your Shoes

When we moved back to the desert southwest, it never even crossed my mind to have a ‘No Shoes’ policy for our home. My thoughts on removing shoes before coming in to the house changed though when I had BabyGirl. When she started creeping and crawling around, I didn’t want her to be near so much dirt. I had the carpets and tiled cleaned and decided we would take our shoes off before coming in. Within a few days I immediately noticed a difference. I didn’t need to vacuum or swiffer every few days like I used to. I didn’t have to dust as much either.

Twister

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Remember that game?

I remember when I was a teenager I used to go to parties and they would get me to play Twister. I used to find the game really irritating.

Twister is one game which must be played in socks or bare feet.

Being a shoe-less game, Twister might seem the perfect accompaniment for a shoe-less party. But is this a good idea?

Being a prudish fundamentalist, I would question whether Twister in mixed-sex adult company is really quite decent, but I will leave the morality of it to one side.

For a low-key, informal party with close friends where shoes-off is expected, Twister would be a perfect game to play.

Nevertheless, some people think removing shoes at a party is really tacky. If you then ask these people to play Twister, they will consider your party to be embarassingly juvenile. While we should make no apology for asking such guests to remove their shoes, it is arguable that we must win them over by the quality of our wine, the delights of our food and the intelligence of our conversation.

On the other hand, you have asked them to remove their shoes and get more intimate. With a few drinks to loosen inhibitions, you could argue that Twister is the logical progression from asking party guests to slip off their shoes.

Netmums: No Shoes

Netmums: No Shoes

It's never too late to adopt a shoes-off rule.

A Rather Obvious Answer

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"If you are so obsessed with keeping your floor clean, don't invite anybody to your home."

If you are so obsessed with what you are wearing, don't visit anybody's home.

Not Always in Slippers

In my opinion, providing slippers for guests is not necessary. If people know the home is shoes-off, they can bring their own slippers and if they have not visited before it is hardly a great endurance to be in socks or bare feet.

Some people insist that providing slippers is a must by pointing out the example of Japan:

In Japan, you are not expected to go bare foot; the host will always give you slippers.

This is actually an half-truth. It is true that hosts will normally provide slippers in Japanese homes. However, these are intend to be worn in the hallway and kitchen. Bedrooms and living rooms normally have tatami (grass mat) flooring. It is expected that one removes slippers and step on the tatami in either stocking or bare feet.

Carpet has become more common in Japan and often it is expected that one removes slippers even before stepping into carpeted rooms.